Page 436 - 4094-BOOK1

434
LOT 553
Iconic Cased Pair
of Engraved, Silver
Plated Colt Black Powder
Series Model 1861 Conversion
Revolvers Carried by Will Smith in the
Hollywood Film “Wild Wild West” - Serial no.
45055, 38 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/silver finish,
rosewood grips. Manufactured in the 1990s, this pair of
beautifully embellished revolvers were carried by the world
famous Hollywood actor Will Smith in the 1999 film “Wild Wild
West”. Smith portrays the character Jim West, a post-Civil War U.S.
Army captain sent on a mission to the American Western Frontier
by U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. This pair of revolvers appear to
have originally been manufactured by Colt as part of their Black Powder
Series of percussion revolvers, and they are believed to have been sent to Kenny
Howell of Howell Arms to be converted to cartridge use. The conversion appears
similar to some period conversions with the addition of a loading gate, though the
percussion loading lever remains. Both of the revolvers have matching floral scroll engraving
on all the major components which was executed by an unknown artist. They both have silver
inlaid borders on the frame and flourishes on the barrel lug and barrel and “Lilliquoi” inlaid on the
back strap. The hammers, cylinders, loading levers, and trigger guards are finished silver, and the muzzles
of the barrels are finished bright with the front sight blades removed and filled. They are both fitted with a
smooth rosewood grip with both having silver mounted “JW” initials on both sides for “Jim West”. One of these
revolvers is very clearly seen in the scene where Smith’s character West fires his gun into the ceiling of the White
House. Both of these revolvers are housed in a glass-topped case with poker chips attached inside, a leather strap
marked “JIM WEST”, and a tag marked for “The World-
Famous Stembridge Collection”.
CONDITION: Fine as professionally converted/
upgraded, retains 99% of blue finish and 95% plus of
the silver finish which shows an attractive, lightly aged
patina and some light handling marks. The grips are
also very good with some scattered light handling
marks. Mechanically excellent.
B) Colt Black Powder Series Model 1861 Navy
Cartridge Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 45209,
38 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/silver finish,
rosewood grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Fine as professionally converted/
upgraded, retains 99% of blue finish and 95% plus
of the silver finish which shows an attractive, lightly
aged patina, some excess glue from the grip on the
back strap, and some light handling marks. The grips
are also very good with some scattered light handling
marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The World Famous Stembridge
Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,000 - 12,000